Another storm threatens the US coastline. This one is Eta, which hit Nicaragua and Honduras several days ago leaving behind widespread flooding and wind damage. It is still intact as a Tropical Depression with max sustained winds of 35mph. Max winds were roughly 150 at peak intensity near Nicaragua. Some strengthening is expected for an upgrade back to Tropical Storm soon. Cuba is under a TS Watch.

The Florida Keys look so see TS Eta late Sunday into Monday with winds up to 65mph and 6-10 inches of rain. But it won’t end there…the long range storm track swings Eta west into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We cannot say for sure if it will power its way to the MS/AL/W FL coastline but we will definitely have to watch it. Climatology doesn’t favor powerful storms in the Gulf this late into tropical season while Christmas music hits the airwaves. Storm surge can always present life-threatening impacts, even with lower intensity storms like Eta. We truly hope it doesn’t pull a Zeta and rapidly intensify during landfall. Wild 2020 continues…

-JC